Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb Appointed as the Next President of the Democratic Mayors Association

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Democratic Mayors Association announced that Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb was appointed their next President. Outgoing DMA President Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego will remain on the board as a Vice President. Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller will join the board as Secretary and San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg will move into a new role as Vice President. 

“I’m honored to be the next President of the Democratic Mayors Association and to have the opportunity to lead during this pivotal time in our nation’s history. While the White House and Congress have changed hands, Democratic Mayors’ steady leadership and action have not. Democratic Mayors are more than ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work because we know how to get things done. Our mission is clear: we will stand together and deliver real results for all Americans. And this work is more important now than ever,” said Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “I also express gratitude to Mayor Kate Gallego for her work leading DMA and look forward to working with her and DMA’s leadership team as we continue to build upon our successes over the coming year.”

“As my time as President of the Democratic Mayors Association ends, I am deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together. We have mobilized mayors on the campaign trail, led significant GOTV efforts, and celebrated historic wins, including flipping key cities blue. It has been an honor to lead this great organization, and I am excited to pass the torch to Mayor Justin Bibb. He is a dynamic leader whose vision and energy will propel DMA into its next chapter,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.

“Our nation’s cities are the frontlines of problem-solving. Mayors face tough challenges head-on every day, and the Democratic Mayors Association is at the forefront of providing real answers for public safety, housing affordability, addiction, innovation, and smart growth,” said Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller. “I’m grateful to be a part of this movement and dedicated to doing the real work it takes to demonstrate how we move our cities forward.”  

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Background on Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb:

As the 58th Mayor of the great City of Cleveland, Ohio, Justin M. Bibb is putting people and neighborhoods first, delivering high-quality city services and leading bold change. The Bibb Administration is building a stronger and safer Cleveland and modernizing City Hall to maximize access, transparency, and equity. On January 3, 2022, Mayor Bibb took the oath of office as the city’s first millennial mayor.

Mayor Bibb’s administration has made major progress on a wide range of initiatives from unprecedented support for public safety through his Raising Investment in Safety for Everyone (RISE) Initiative to a $15 million American Rescue Plan investment to kick start a robust plan for the revitalization of Cleveland’s Southeast Side.

Mayor Bibb also introduced his Residents First housing agenda in 2023 to give city departments the tools they need to crack down on predatory landlords and abate nuisance properties across Cleveland. Cleveland is rapidly moving toward becoming one of North America’s first 15-

minute cities and Mayor Bibb’s visionary Shore-to-Core-to-Shore strategy and new master plans for the Lake Erie lakefront and Cuyahoga Riverfront aim to make Cleveland one of the most desirable and attractive two-waterfront cities in the nation.

Over the past 15 years, Mayor Bibb has worked in government, business and the nonprofit sector as an executive and nonprofit leader. He completed the General Course Programme with an emphasis in Social Policy and Economics from the London School of Economics and is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Doctor of Law (JD).

Read the Mayor’s full biography here.

Background on Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller: 

Tim became Mayor in 2017 and was re-elected in 2021. He serves as the city’s 82nd selected leader and 31st Mayor of Albuquerque, dating back to its founding 1706. Mayor Tim focuses on making Albuquerque a more safe, innovative and inclusive city. 

As Mayor, Tim created the first-of-its-kind Community Safety Department designed to send trained professionals to non-violent 911 calls, ensuring the right response to calls for mental health, substance use, and homelessness — and freeing up police to focus on crime. He led the Police Department to reverse worst-in-the-nation property crime rates and cleared the unacceptable rape kit backlog, honoring survivors and providing justice. Under his leadership, the City quadrupled the number of people served by the City’s homeless support system and purchased Gibson Health Hub, the largest investment for the unhoused in city history. His efforts also modernized the local economy, landing thousands of new jobs with Facebook, Netflix, NBC Universal, and Amazon. His climate change efforts launched Albuquerque into the top 5 solar cities in America. 

Throughout his tenure, he centers his leadership around the “One Albuquerque” unity initiative, a clarion call to action to champion residents from all walks of life. His administration transformed the City’s social justice efforts by establishing the first office of Equity and Inclusion, as well as offices of Consumer Protection, Civil Rights, Black Community Engagement and Native American Affairs. Tim is a staunch supporter of pro-immigrant policies. When the COVID-19 pandemic threatened lives and livelihoods, Tim responded quickly, using the City’s emergency powers to provide a safety net for the most vulnerable.  The City provided childcare for 10,000 essential workers, $50 million small business grants, senior meal delivery and rental assistance. He continued to build a more inclusive City by accelerating $200 million in construction projects, focusing on historically underrepresented neighborhoods.

Read the Mayor’s full biography here.

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